Dublin Day 5 – Dublin Castle

Ok dear Reader(s). Imma do this a little differently. I have found I am sacrificing much of the interesting research I find for these blog posts to keep them within a manageable length. And then my friend(s) tell me my posts are still too long. So I am going to focus more on the places and history, even if that means I’m splitting a single day over several blog posts. Eventually I will catch up!

Day five in Dublin dawned delightfully sunny. Seriously. In my six days in Dublin, it didn’t rain once. In fact, it reached about 70* F, which is a heat wave for them. They had no idea how to handle it.

It topped out over 20*C. Which is 68*F.

 

On this day, I broke my fast at Starbucks. In America, one of my favorite breakfasts is an everything bagel with cream cheese and a decaf grande flavored latte from Starbucks. However, this particular location did not have a bagel. They had a scone of sadness. It was processed and I could tell it had been frozen, and it wasn’t even fluffy. I suppose they’re catering to their market, but come on, I wanted a bagel.

The goal for this day was Kilmainham Gaol or bust. And so I begin the trek there again on foot.

Domer in DC …. /in Dublin/

Yes that’s right. Dublin.

If you recall (back when I was posting about real stuff) I wrote about a quick stop in Boston where I got to check out a lot of the places important to America’s whole Colonial Era mythology. The reason for this quick stop was actually a layover because I was on my way to Dublin, the land of my forebears (sort of), to visit my sister and college roommate.

So. After a fun and eventful day in Boston, seeing all the sites with other college roommate, eating the famous cannolis from that famous place from that famous movie (Mike’s?), I hopped a cab back to the airport for my 10 pm flight ex patria.

Ephemera or Damn the Torpedoes

Dear reader(s),

These ephemera postings might become a regular thing as I travel the internet faster than I can research, post, or even absorb what crosses my path.

For example, I believe today is the 150th anniversary of Admiral David Farragut‘s victory at Mobile Bay, where he famously said, “Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!” because the Confederates had, you know, defenses for this strategic position. Defenses like torpedoes, I would assume. I’ve always wanted to read more about Farragut but have never been able to fit him into my historical dance card.

Guys, I learn all sorts of things doing “research” for this blog

The other big thing is that August 4 marks the declaration on Germany by Britain, taking Germany’s declaration of war on Russia and raising them by an empire (think poker here). World War I is a small blip on the American radar, but the Royal Family has certainly been oot and aboot. And because the American media is obsessed with British Royalty (wait, what was the Revolutionary war about people??), the American media has been brought along on all these centenary markings.

And then there’s some other random things I think are interesting.

And so without further ado: This week’s (month’s?) list of ephemera: